KARNATAKA STATE CRICKET ASSOCIATION (KSCA) has announced that all Vijay Hazare Trophy matches scheduled in Bengaluru have been moved from the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium to the BCCI Centre of Excellence (NCA) on an interim basis.
The decision follows communication from the police, who informed KSCA that the stadium is currently “not finding favour” as a venue for hosting matches, based on the recommendations of a Review Committee.
The move comes in the aftermath of the stampede that occurred during the victory celebrations for Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s maiden Indian Premier League title earlier this year. Following the incident, the Justice John Michael D’Cunha Commission, appointed by the Karnataka government to probe the tragedy declared the stadium “unfit for large-scale events”.
Despite the change in venue, Bengaluru remains a key stop in the tournament, hosting the Delhi fixtures, which will feature star India batter Virat Kohli, marking his return to the competition after a gap of 15 years.
In an official statement, KSCA said it “respectfully acknowledges” the position taken by the authorities and expressed gratitude to the Karnataka government. The association specifically thanked the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister for considering KSCA’s request at the Cabinet level and for their continued engagement and support.
KSCA noted that the decision on granting permission is directly linked to the implementation of the recommendations of the Justice D’Cunha Committee. It further stated that communications from the police since August 2025, under the previous managing committee, regarding these recommendations “did not receive the desired level of follow-up”.
By contrast, the newly elected managing committee, led by former India cricketer Venkatesh Prasad and in office since 8 December, has adopted a more proactive approach. According to KSCA, the current leadership has engaged swiftly with government departments and statutory authorities within a short period of less than two weeks.
The association added that the committee has actively sought guidance, inputs and approvals required for the conduct of matches, while initiating steps to align its actions with the expectations of the authorities. KSCA also placed on record its appreciation for Home Minister Dr G Parameshwara for convening a joint meeting between the Home Department and KSCA officials, and for directing multiple agencies to inspect the stadium and submit reports to facilitate a transparent and informed decision-making process.
KSCA further acknowledged the government’s “constructive and consultative approach” and thanked the Home Department, police and other statutory bodies for their cooperation. The association assured that all recommendations from the Review Committee would be implemented in a structured and time-bound manner once received.
Expressing confidence, KSCA said it expects the necessary permissions to host Vijay Hazare Trophy matches at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium to be granted in the near future. Until then, all matches will continue to be held at the BCCI Centre of Excellence.
